Ledger told to get help after Batman role

Heath Ledger was reportedly urged to get counselling after filming The Dark Knight, according to Fox News. Cast and crew on the new Batman film were concerned that he was too wrapped up in his character The Joker, with the role affecting his mood, ability to sleep and relationships. A source said: “Heath refused to talk to anyone out of character. If you tried to communicate with him normally instead of The Joker, he would just ignore you. He would often come to the set to hang out even on his days off, freaking everyone out. Towards the end of filming, he was warned by people that he had gone too far, but it was almost like he couldn’t connect with those who cared for him anymore.” Shooting wrapped November 2007 and Ledger was found dead from a prescription drug overdose on January 22, 2008, during a break from filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

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Comments & Discussion

Anonymous • April 17, 2008 @ 1:24 PM

there are many actors in the world who remain in character during the entire filming of a movie and most are effected by those roles. daniel day lewis, gary oldman, to name a few. many actors and actresses have ruined relationships while doing so but thats their job. they portray a character and if this was how he decided to do so then that was his choice.

Ya well, an actors “job” is to know their lines and play a character during filming. Before and after filming, they should be themselves. Two totally different worlds. If people think this is rather weird, as I think it is, then THAT is our choice! All in all though, that’s what drugs will do to you!!!!

tributegirl • April 18, 2008 @ 8:12 AM

Sounds like Heath has had a drug problem for quite some time. It’s a shame, but a lot of people who are talented end up doing drugs just to keep up with the crazy schedules, and with all the fame. It would get to you after awhile.

teeka3405 • April 18, 2008 @ 12:15 PM

Look… Method acting requires a person to live like the character he plays. I know that Heath went a little too far, but the movie seems better for it. The drugs he obtained were prescribed to him. He didn’t take time off between movies to live a little. To unwind, be with his family, as I heard, enjoy time with his daughter, who was his pride and joy. In the end, I guess he felt that one prescription wasn’t working so he took another prescription. Be sensitive!! How would you feel if you were the hollywood actor, having demands thrown at you. You all like to jump on the bandwagon and not feel like an actor feels. These actors and actresses are just like us. Normal People. Making money, working hard, having a family. That is more difficult for them when they have cameras pushed at them, blinding them. Take a camera, put it out at arms length and start taking pictures with the flash on. How do you feel afterwards? Stop jumping on how these people live. E! and other tabloids love to exaggerate how these actresses and actors are. Okay, I can see that some are turning their lives around with help from professionals, and thats fine.(Britney Spears is one). Heath is gone and he was a great actor. If only he had asked for help before it was too late.

tributegirl • April 18, 2008 @ 4:10 PM

teeka3405, chill out. That’s basically what we were saying, except that he HAS been taped using drugs, so don’t tell me all his “medications” were prescription. I don’t believe he committed suicide, I do believe that was an accident. What I was saying is it is such a shame that he went off the deep end, many famous people do BECAUSE of their fame.

Velvet • April 18, 2008 @ 10:26 PM

How sad it is to have lost a young and upcoming talent who could have had a very long and prosperous career as an actor, however, I find it quite bizarre when people speak/type as if they “knew” Heath Ledger. Unless we had lunch with him when he was alive or spoke to him on the phone, or grew up with him in school, we don’t know him from a hole in the wall.

If people get their celebrity background bios from CNN, TMZ, PerezHilton, E!, ET, tabloids, etc. then it’s anyone’s guess who these people really are. Fans quite often fall in love with a person’s “image” or “persona” but we don’t know these people, and to think/speak/type like we do because is really quite hilarious. Rest in peace Heath Ledger and I trust that your family will keep your memory alive for themselves, for Michelle and for your daughter, Matilda.

Anonymous • April 19, 2008 @ 1:57 PM

leave it alone heath’s gone cant we just let him be.

tributegirl • April 19, 2008 @ 7:47 PM

Ok. Now what are we gonna talk about? The polar ice caps melting? Wow, THAT should make for some interesting convo!

Constance • April 20, 2008 @ 3:42 PM

Let’s face it, actors/actresses live in a very fake world, often of their own making. The sane actors/actresses have a life outside of the set and do their best to keep it that way. Those that choose to go “over the top” are imbalanced. I don’t care what job you have, there is no excuse for letting your job ruin your personal life. You have to set up boundaries. Unfortunately, Heath was only one of many who are not balanced in their approach to the acting profession. People, it’s just a job! What’s really important in life??? Certainly not movies, acting, etc…etc…! I am shocked by how our world has given celebrity status to people are doing nothing more than acting…entertaining us…that’s it…they are doing no more! Wake up world and remember to keep things in perspective!

anonymous • November 10, 2008 @ 2:18 PM

soo pretty sure none of you even know the full story. Your saying that the tabloids exaggerate the truth and spread rumours but your the ones talking about him and taking it even furthur than it needs to go. We all know there are still a million stories about him going around and if he was a drug addict or whatever but if you keep talking about it like you all are then its never going to stop.
So you all should maybe mind your own business becuase you didnt know him and you dont have anything to back you up except what people say.